MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Is there really an alligator at this Mt. Rainier lake?

Jul 27, 2017, 6:44 AM | Updated: 12:13 pm

The news spread over social media quickly — an alligator was spotted at a lake near Mount Rainier. Can we file this next to reports of the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot?

“There was a guy that reported that there was, supposedly, an alligator in Clear Lake, by Rimrock in Yakima County,” said Sgt. Morgan Grant with the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

RELATED: What didn’t really happen last week

Fish and Wildlife sent an officer to investigate the matter, but no evidence of an alligator was found. Grant stresses there was no confirmation of such an animal and he is skeptical that one could survive in the frigid, ice-fed lakes in that area.

“The likelihood of an alligator surviving in that water would be pretty minimal from what I understand of alligators,” Grant said.

“The Department of Fish and Wildlife takes anything related to public safety very seriously,” he said. “There is no confirmation or physical evidence other than that photo.”

“That photo” of an alligator in Clear Lake spread around social media recently, but its validity remains in question. It all started with a July 24 Facebook post featuring a blurry photo of what could be an alligator with the caption:

A mutual friends friend was up at clear lake kayaking today with her mom and came upon this. Yes, that is an alligator!!!! They reported it to fish and wildlife and they said it was probably someones pet that they released…so be aware when fishing/boating friends!!!

That Facebook post has been removed. But local radio station 98.3 The Key picked it up and posted the picture, wondering if it could possibly be true. You can see a photo of the mystery alligator here.

It isn’t the first time rumors of alligators or crocodiles have surfaced in Washington. There was a report last August of an alligator in a lake near Kent. Another was once rumored to be swimming around Lake Washington in 2005. In each case, the response is similar: alligators require tropical and warm environments. They would likely not survive very long in the Northwest’s cooler temperatures. And despite global warming, things haven’t warmed up that much around the Northwest just yet.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

5 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

6 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

8 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

8 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

9 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

12 hours ago

Is there really an alligator at this Mt. Rainier lake?